Words from our coach

Submitted by trueblue262 on

I ran across a quote from RR, thought I'd share it. I think he's speaking to all of us bloggers.

 

"Anybody who says they love Michigan and love our program yet they go out and say something really negative, just because they want to vent, you don't really love your program because that's not helping you in recruiting," Rodriguez said. "Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program. So to go out and say, I love Michigan, this is the worst, this and all that, well, you're not helping.

I'm not saying you've got to treat everything with rose-colored glasses but if you really love the program and you're all in for Michigan, you're not going to go out and bash anything about the university because it affects recruiting."

UMdad

November 10th, 2010 at 8:08 AM ^

 

Second, you go to 5 schools.  They all have great campuses, cool coaches, excited fans, hot girls, big stadiums, tradition, rah rah, etc.  How do you differentiate?  You google the fan sites and see what the fans are saying to get the "inside scoop." 

 

So you honestly believe that your comments here are the deciding factor in recruiting?  Wow. 

MGoShtoink

November 9th, 2010 at 8:50 PM ^

I realized after going through this thread that no one probably knows what that was directed at since it got posted so far down...

Poor coaching performance is far worse for the program than fans complaints. He should worry about that more than what fans say.I also think players are more sophisticated now. They know fans are not always rational.

I disagree.

mejunglechop

November 9th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^

It's totally unrealistic to expect fans who obsess over the smallest details to be completely uncritical (especially in the aftermath of Penn State style debacles). When you're a coach criticism comes with the territory.

Aequitas

November 10th, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^

constructive criticism, but do you honestly believe most of the "criticism" around the program is in this category?  I don't think his comments were directed at this site in particular, it's worse on the radio, especially the "flagship station", WTKA in Ann Arbor, during the afternoons.

It's embarrassing and unlistenable, but, unfortunately, hardly irrelevant.  There are people that hate this coach more than the like Michigan football and they won't stop the drumbeat until Rodriguez is run out of town.

SFBlue

November 9th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^

I definitely think the "buzz" surrounding the program, reflected (and even, in some small way, generated) by its fans, will and has swung certain recruits, or at the very least the timing of their annoucements (e.g., Dee Hart). 

For sure, I have thought about that before making specific posts.  Opposing fans read this board, maybe even recruits.  Of course, every single fanbase has its fair share of fans bitching about their team on the Internet.  It's up to this site's Mods, I think, to make sure the dialouge does not get out of hand.  A job I think they do pretty well. 

Emarcy

November 9th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^

that negative blogging harms recruiting, though not to a great degree.  That being said, Mgoblog has has probably helped the program, particularly the main page stuff.  It gives a window of insight into the team and the direction of the program.  It shows the dedication of the fanbase and demonstrates some of the history and tradition.  

OTOH, the mgoboard could be perceived as sowing dissension.  The daily discussions about who will or will not be coaching next year cannot help the image of Michigan in the eyes of recruits.  Of course we would not be having such discussions if we were winning more, and winning is ultimately much more important to recruiting.  

The mgoboard is not a recruiting tool but a forum for fans.  But I would just suggest that we all need to be aware that recruits read some of this stuff and to temper our comments in a way that ultimately helps the team we love.

This is Michigan

November 9th, 2010 at 9:16 PM ^

It doesn't matter if it is to a great degree. Although not likely with any fan base, it shouldn't happen at all.

 

All it takes is...

one Arnett...or

one Hart...or

one Robinson...

to read negative information on a Michigan oriented blog that will deter their decision.

 

 

Nosce Te Ipsum

November 9th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^

This is fine by me. I like that he is calling the fans out. It's appalling to listen to so called "fans" call into the macabre sports radio ear fucking and say how he needs to go without any knowledge of their beloved team.

Wolverine Pride

November 9th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^

Completely agree with what RR is saying.  There is a way to be critical in a classy way, showing concern for the program and players.  Then there is the name calling, psycho fans that bitch about everything and treat it like the end of the world. 

Take this season for example.  At the beginning of the season how many people really thought Michigan would win more than 7 games?  I would say from reading old posts, that would be about the average.  We lost some games we maybe could have won, but are performing about as expected.  Our defense is weak, not really a surprise, no need to rant about it.

All the talk a few years ago about the new coach needing to be a real "Michigan Man", how important that was and what it meant.   It's time our fans man-up and be real "Michigan Fans".

jblaze

November 9th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^

I guess all I can say is that when we lose games, people are pretty unhappy (like any fan base and get pised off), but in general MGoBlog posters seem pretty positive (I guess the exception is GERG, but only for some).

The thing I wonder about is when Brian bashes (and he's not mean, but it's worse because he's pointing out facts) a guy like Ezeh in the UFRs. I mean Brian is likely correct in his assessment (or at least 80% correct), but should he not have UFRs that point out 1) Player X can't play and 2) Coach X's scheme is terrible?

JD_UofM_90

November 9th, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^

the Big house and the athletic facilities are amazing.  Mike B is a beast.  Ann Arbor, the campus and the academics here are awsome.  I just love the tradition here, the fight song, the banner, etc.  The guys on the team are great, the coaches are really nice and the family atmosphere here, is tremendous. 

But, I have to tell you.  I was reading Brian and Magnus the other day, and they think GERG should be fired.  So I am a little uneasy about that and now I am not sure if this is the place for me.  Sorry about that coach.   Opps, gotta go.  I have some calls to make to the Buff and Gopher staffs and I have got to get my late afternoon "tweet" in.  Oh rats, I also need to prepare for my upcoming press conference were I will be announcing the final 5 schools, still in the running for me.  Unless of course, I change my mind later..........

jml969

November 9th, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^

We may gripe about how things have fared the past 2 seasons but keeping composure and supportive of the program is important as far as recruiting is concerned. When I've been flustered or just downright angry I stay away from the boards. I just don't like the idea of contributing a bad experience to a potential recruit that might be looking at the boards or hear something bad about the program

blueblueblue

November 9th, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^

So if we love the program we should not say anything negative about the program. I really wish I had not read that quote. The implication is that if I say anything negative after reading this, after RR made this proclamation, I do not love the program. Manipulate much there RR? It smacks of desperation when one tries to control what fans say about the staff by playing the "love the program" card. The program is bigger than RR, it is broader and deeper. I love the program, though I am quite uncertain whether RR is the right guy to lead it to national titles in the future. Someone correct me, but this seems like he is trying to manipulate fans, and then spread the blame if recruiting does not pan out. 

blueblueblue

November 10th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^

Internet tough guy. Always somewhere lurking. Would you tell me to "just shut up" to my face? I hope this makes you feel better about yourself. And if you are going to be "creative", try to do so in an intelligible way. 

Omega

November 9th, 2010 at 5:39 PM ^

I don't think Rich Rodriguez is saying that real fans of the program will never say anything negative.  He's saying that you shouldn't go ranting off the deep end, saying this is the worst team in Michigan history, the season's over already, the coaches all suck and should be fired, etc.

A person can be negative.  A person can be critical.  Being one does not require being the other.  Take, for instance, Brian's views on Vincent Smith getting a lot of the playing time at halfback.  He doesn't said that Smith is an awful little twig who plays like Mike Hart and Chris Perry, only slower and smaller and fumblier.  He says Smith is a pretty solid player but not a threat to make more out a play than what's there, whereas Shaw and Hopkins and (when he's healthy) Toussaint are capable of turning a typical play into a big gain.

Bill in Birmingham

November 9th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^

It may seem to you like he is trying to manipulate the fan base to not criticize him.

It seems to me that he knows it doesn't matter to his job security what people write on blogs with one major caveat. He knows that his job security depends solely on what Dave Brandon thinks about his job performance. The caveat is that the only thing people on blogs can do to affect his job performance is to  negatively impact recruiting by bitching and saying so and so will be fired, we suck and the like.  

Kilgore Trout

November 9th, 2010 at 7:28 PM ^

I'm with you on this one blueblueblue.  Obviously the hordes will neg you to death, but you make a decent point.  I also have significant concerns as to whether Rodriguez is the right guy for this job (and it has nothing to do with not being a "Michigan Man") and I am as "All In" for Michigan as anyone could possibly be.  Being all in for Michigan doesn't mean not questioning things.  Sure, there are idiots out there who rip Rodriguez without forming a coherent though, but that doesn't mean any criticism of how he's run this program are without merit.  There are an equal amount (if not more) of idiots who would defend Rodriguez to the death regardless of the evidence that might be out there. 

Head coach at the University of Michigan is a big boy job with a big boy salary.  This comment and his plea to be positive after the Penn State debacle makes him come off as someone who doesn't quite get it all. 

KinesiologyNerd

November 9th, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^

Sounds a bit like Tommy West, thankfully RR hasn't been fired. I wish people would listen, I'm sick of threatening violence against people yelling derogatory stuff at games... I can't back it up!

BlueCE

November 9th, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^

I agree... I think we often forget how many people read and get their info from this and other recruiting boards.  Just think of the number of visitors (registered and lurkers) that come to this site, other UM blogs, + scout/rivals. This site alone gets between 60K-90K unique visitors a month!

Tha Stunna

November 9th, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^

This quote would be really bad out of context, like that "get a life" quote from a while back.  (Look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about.)  Hopefully he means that constructive criticism is still fine and good.  I don't really like "the sky is falling" types in general, and I agree that they don't help the program.

However, if I can't vent a bit after a loss and still be a fan, that sounds wrong to me.

Dallas Wolverine

November 9th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^

Who in there right mind would want to face this offense? RR has got the Big 10 shaken with our spread play. Negative recruiting from these other coaches is alot of the problem with these HS kids.

Roy D Hibble

November 9th, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^

I'm sorry, but the mentality here and from Rodriguez seems to be one of Michigan Fan being some sort of "GroupThink" monolith.

This kind of stuff is pathetic coming from a guy who has made millions of dollars, yet stunk it up royally and has shown a propensity to toss whomever he feels necessary under the bus of his incomparably large supply of denial in any culpability for the mess he's in.

WMUgoblue

November 9th, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^

If you don't like the mentality here, then why do you post? There are plenty of people who have constructive criticism for what RR has said and done, but to say he only tosses people under the bus is bogus. Has he ever tossed Gerg under the bus for his defensive blunders....No.

Mattinboots

November 9th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^

And 98% of those posters should be disqualified.  Have you been to ESPN message boards?  Yes, many of the posts here don't "add value", but those that don't are generally agreeing, witty responses, etc.  Spouting negativity frequently (hence your point total) without adding support provides no benefit to anyone, except for maybe you. 

Don

November 9th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^

If you'd truly spent even a fraction of the time on MGoBlog that you claim you have, you'd know that this is the complete opposite of reality. In fact, there's a diverse ecosystem of opinions and beliefs expressed on MGoBlog about RR that range from "fire his ignorant hillbilly ass yesterday" to "I want to have RR's baby" and everything in between.

TartanAlex

November 9th, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^

RichRod is referring to a very small, but loud group of fans who spend their time professing their undimmable love for the Wolverines and prove the depth of their feeling by deciding that the programme as currently constituted and led must be blown-up so it can be rebuilt with a true "Michigan Man" at the helm. We must destroy a village to save it. That sort of thing.

This kind of attitude is a long-way removed from your ordinary, perfectly reasonable, criticism or disappointment with how certain results or games have gone.

In effect, RichRod is suggesting that, from his perspective at least, some of these "I bleed Maize and Blue, but..." types are false-friends to the school and the wider Wolverine community. They keep saying they're "only thinking of the health of the programme" while doing precisely nothing to help it and, in fact, most likely revelling in every setback or piece of bad news since, objectively speaking, any such reverse is Good News if it means RR and his motley crew of West Virginian yahoos are run out of town and Michigan can shuffle off in search of Ye Good Olde Days.

(And nevermind that times change, things move on and those Good Old Days are gone. For better or for worse. What's done is been and gone and all you keep, as a wise man once sang, is the getting there.)

Roy D Hibble

November 9th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^

This is something I disagree with.

For one, what if this vocal minority (majority? I think so) thinks THEIR plan is best for Michigan? They have the same right as those who think Rodriguez is best for Michigan.

Also, if they are to be lumped into the crowd of thinking RR and his crew are hillbillies, then you can be lumped into the crowd of people who are just as narrow minded--those who accuse Rodriguez critcizers as wanting "Three yards and a cloud of dust" or "The Good Olde Days"

It's tit for tat on all levels. It's just people being fans. And guess what? Unless you're ingoring what's going on, those who aren't in favor of keeping Rodriguez have a hell of a lot of evidence to back their claims.